May Happenings

Well, so far, so good on the P90X work-outs. I'm staying on schedule with the work-outs and haven't missed one yet. I try to do the work-outs in the morning, then my runs later in the day. The soreness is easing up, now I'm just stiff and exhausted! I'm seeing some progress already but I imagine that some of that is just because I'm learning how to do the moves and I'm not fumbling my way through so much. My body is still adapting to the extra demands that I'm making, at least I think that's why my legs are so wiped out. My legs have been in a constant state of fatigue all week, as in I get tired crossing the room or going up a flight of stairs. It's just adaptation though, right?

I ran in the Morgan County Fallen Officers Memorial 5k last Saturday. The race is one of the flattest in the area and I'd last run it 2 years ago. During the 2009 race, I remember it was incredibly humid and the air just felt nasty. The weather was just about perfect this time though, overcast, 58 degrees, and fairly comfortable humidity. I admit to being disappointed in my race though. In spite of better weather, keeping my brain in race mode, and not taking a single walk break, I ran the course 9 seconds slower than in 2009. Ugh, it's so frustrating! I know that I won't PR every race, but I get aggravated that I'm not improving. My goal for now is to stay healthy/uninjured so I can keep putting in the miles and the cross-training. Hopefully, keeping that goal intact will help the rest of my running to improve. On the plus side, I did see via the online race results that I placed 3rd in my AG (40-49). Even better is that the Mag7 does their season scoring based on the 40-44 AG and I was first in that division. Hooray for being in a weak AG!

Next on the agenda: Geist Half Marathon in 4 days. I've never done this race, so it'll be a new one for me. No expectations, just hoping to enjoy the day and not worry about pace for a change.

A New Leaf

Now that my goal race for the spring is over, I decided this was a good time to get some consistent cross-training underway. I always have good intentions about cross-training, but have trouble following through. Since I don't have the excuse of being knee deep in a training schedule or any significant job obligations (unfortunately...) I plan to stick to it. Today is day 4 of P90X and we started the morning dark and early with Yoga X. I'd forgotten how tough the first 40 minutes of that work-out is! I also forgot that it's a 90-minute routine. Oops, only had time for an hour, so I'll finish it later today. I still have to do the Ab Ripper that I was supposed to do yesterday (yesterday was Arms and Shoulders PLUS Ab Ripper, but I didn't allow enough time for 2 routines, oops).

I'm guessing that I'm going to be pretty sore most of the time for the next few weeks, but the payoff will be worth it. We're doing the Lean version rather than the Classic but I'm thinking I may try Classic next time.

I'm trying to get the kids more involved in fitness as well. That's not a new venture, but I'm trying a new tactic. Since hubby and I will be doing the P90X videos, I checked out a few videos for the kids from the library to try. The kicker is that the only way I can get the kids to do them, is to do the video with them! This means that in additon to my running and my P90X, I'm also doing things like Hip Hop Abs, Yoga for the Kid in All of Us, and Island Girl Tahitian Hip Hop!! Yikes! Hopefully, the kids will decide that the videos are enough fun that they will continue them without my help because I can't keep up with 3 hours of exercise every day for long!

2011 Flying Pig Half Marathon Report

Race morning: the alarm went off dark and early. Hit the snooze button and nodded off for a few minutes until it went off again. Ugh, that felt like a very short night, I was still so very tired! We dragged ourselves out of bed and ate peanut butter with a banana on a tortilla, then tried not to fall back to sleep again. We got all of our gear ready and left the hotel at 5:50 to make the short trek to the start line. It was still raining, as expected, but we had brought some of those cheap plastic ponchos to keep us dry. It’s always fun walking over to Paul Brown Stadium and seeing the crowds growing in excitement as you draw closer to the staging area.

This was the first year that the Flying Pig had Pig Pens, a.k.a. starting corrals. They had us staged based on the finishing times we had entered on our registration and the corrals went from A through E. Aaron and I were in D so we approached the starting line where A was and then still had a good ways to go to get to our corral. As soon as we entered D, we heard someone joyfully yell “The VICTORS!!!”. I wasn’t expecting such a welcome, but it was fantastic to see Erin Hazler waiting for us! We chatted for a bit, I complained that I wished I’d hit the bathroom one last time, and about then the race started. As we meandered towards the start line, I warned Aaron and Erin that I was going to make a pitstop if I saw a portajohn with a short line before we got to the start line. I found one and told them to go on. Of course, they waited.

The three of us ran together for the first stretch and it was good to have company. Usually, I run my races alone, it helps me to find my “zone” but this time I was appreciating the companionship. My stuffy head was threatening to move into my chest, so I was running with no real expectations other than to see how I felt and take it from there. The rain ponchos didn’t last very long, we’d peeled them off in probably the first half mile. It was only a gentle drizzle and it didn’t take long to get warm enough to want the ponchos gone. As we approached the Southgate bridge, I was pleased with how well I was feeling. Not strong, but at least my head had cleared up and I could breathe. Mile 1 in 11:46.

Since I’d taken the pit stop in the starting corrals, we’d gotten trapped in behind a lot of walkers. At some points, it was tough to even keep an easy jog going due to the traffic. In hindsight, it may be better to make a quick stop on the course than risk getting caught in walking traffic next time. At some point in this second mile, I realized that I’d lost Aaron and Erin as I zigged and zagged around walkers. Aaron ended up catching me again right around the 2 mile mark. Mile 2 in 11:05.

The third mile goes by the hotel where we stayed. Funny how until this year I hadn’t paid much attention to the geography to even notice how close we were to the course! It was raining a little bit steadier at this point, but with the visor on I only noticed it because I could see the raindrops hitting the puddles. It actually felt very nice. The third mile ends midway over the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, which I think is the steepest of the three bridges. Whew, always good to have that behind me! Mile 3 in 10:43.

Aaron was still running with me at this point and I thought he was doing very well. We walked a water stop in this mile, just a quick break and back to running. I don’t remember much else in this stretch, it’s a pretty boring part of the race, I think: nicely warmed up but not starting to get beat up by the hills yet, so it’s easy to just zone out for a bit. Mile 4 in 10:25.

In the fifth mile, Aaron started to fade a bit. We took a couple more walk breaks, then he sent me on ahead. I was torn on whether to go or not, but I decided at that point we were both ready to run our own races. Mile 5 in 12:13.

As the race continued onto Gilbert, I knew that we’d soon be turning to head up to Eden Park. I find this to be the toughest part of the course, the three mile stretch of steady uphill takes a toll. I was feeling ok at this point, but still trying to just take it pretty easy. Just before finishing the 6th mile, the course crosses over Eggleston. As we approached the bridge, we could see the leaders of the half as they were finishing mile 13 of the course! I said something to another runner about how sick that was as we admiringly watched them run by. Wow, I just can’t grasp how a person can run at that pace! Mile 6 in 10:34.

I decided this was a good point to take a gel since we would be hitting some hills soon. I had a tough time getting the gel down, but over about 5 minutes got the job done. I had taken another extended walk break in the process, more out of mental fatigue than anything. I need to work on not getting so wrapped up in how tired I’ll be climbing that hill! The crowds as you turn onto Eden Park Drive are some of the most enthusiastic on the course, so that provides a nice boost as you hit the steepest part of the course. Whew, too bad that I can’t bottle their energy for the whole hill! Mile 7 in 11:56.

I thought that I walked a good bit of this part of the course, but when I reviewed the Garmin data, it looks like I was surprisingly consistent. I don’t have any idea how, I really don’t. Granted it wasn’t fast, but when I compare it to last year’s race I was running it at almost the same exact pace through this part. Considering how crappy this cold had me feeling, that surprises me. We run by a wonderful overlook that gives us a view of the city and river below, almost at the top of the hill now and that provides a boost. Mile 8 in 11:13.

At this point, you aren’t completely done with the hills but the steepest parts are behind you so it’s easier to hold a pace. I know that the downhill is still a mile or so away but it’s getting closer! I feel my legs’ relief at the change in the grade, the fun is going to begin soon. Mile 9 in 10:37.

My feet are really starting to hurt, especially the outer toes of my right foot. It’s definitely worse on an uphill grade, so I walk a short bit on one uphill. The pain is pretty intense, but it almost goes away completely on level to downhill portions. I realize that the exact same thing happened during the Heart Mini in March. I’m not sure why, but I guess it’s just a conditioning issue. I’m glad that we’re almost done with the uphill, because I think the pain would be horrid if I had to keep going uphill. Mile 10 in 10:55.

Miles 11 through the finish are almost a continuous downhill. At this point, I probably have a permanent grin on my face as I visualize my feet turning into wheels. It makes me absolutely giddy, I love LOVE this part! I really feel good running now, in spite of my faster pace, it feels very comfortable. Mile 11 in 9:40.
Although the next mile is still downhill, the grade isn’t quite as steep. This is also the point where there is a short dogleg and for some reason, I hate that little portion. There’s just something a little discouraging about running all the way out just to have a hairpin turn and go back the way you’d come! Mile 12 in 9:53.

Time to bring it in home—last mile, give it all you got! I find out that I ain’t got much left, but I’m working with what I’ve got. I am definitely ready to quit, so I keep reminding myself that I can rest in just a few minutes but for now, keep running. It feels like I’m barely running, yet my Garmin tells me otherwise. Mile 13 in 9:50.

Ugh, last little bit! Keep going, crowds are cheering, my legs are really burning, just go, go, go… I hear a surge in the cheers and realize there is a marathoner coming up on my left. Holy cow, that man is MOVING! I don’t even pretend to hold pace with him, but I see a few other folks showboating and trying. And failing. Ha! I think he was the second place marathoner, absolutely mind-boggling how fast he flew by me! My Garmin is off on the mile splits, so it shows that I ran another 0.28 miles past 13. Last 0.28 mi in 2:42 (9:34/mi).

I get across the Finish Swine (ha), get my medal, grab a cup of water and head back so I can wait for Erin and Aaron to finish. Erin comes in, I madly scream her name but I’m drowned out by the rest of the crowd. A few more minutes, and here comes Aaron! Yes, I admit to getting a bit teary as I saw him approach but then I was too busy screaming my fool head off trying to get his attention. He didn’t hear me, so I took off running along the sidewalk and got to him just after he crossed the last timing mat. I’m so very proud of him! His training was hampered by health issues and he so easily could have changed his entry to a shorter race. I think that’s what I would have done, but he pulled it all together and got the job done!

My official time was 2:23:26. I’m actually shocked that I was only a minute off of last year’s time. While I ran the first half 2 minutes slower than last year, I ran the second half a minute faster than last year. It’s admittedly frustrating that I got sick when I did, but I guess that I’m still proud that I was able to do what I did. Since I wasn’t able to run the Pig the way I’d wanted to (healthy), I signed up to run the Geist Half on the drive home. I’ve got three weeks to get recovered and ready to go. I’m writing this report up on Friday and I am just now feeling good enough to try another run. The cold did move into my chest and Monday through Wednesday were pretty miserable. I think I’m on the mend, now to get ready for the next race!

Flying Pig: the Pre-Race Report

So as race day for the Flying Pig approached, I started my usual race-week obsessing: checking weather forecasts, what to wear, what to pack, and trying to figure out all of the other last minute details. I was feeling confident about this race. After having run 2 half marathons this spring, I thought that I was in a good place to run a course PR at the Pig. If I had a great day, maybe even a distance PR.

On Wednesday, as I prepared to turn in for the night, I noticed my heart was racing. It felt like it was going to thump its way right out of my chest and I thought that was odd. I felt fine in every other way, but when I took my heart rate it was well over 70. Uh oh. In the past few years of running, as my resting heart rate dropped into the low 40’s, I had noticed a very consistent trend. Heart rate over 65 = sick within 24 hours. I felt fine though and hoped that it was just a fluke.

Thursday morning: sore throat. An “oh my God, it feels like someone took a belt sander to my throat” sore throat. And a headache. And a very stuffy nose. Perfect. So I tried to drink extra fluids, took my vitamins, and tried to take it easy, although I still went to work. I ditched the Thursday night run so that (a) I could rest and (b) I didn’t expose my friends to my plague. All to no avail, by Friday morning it was worse and I was running a fever. Well, nuts. I’ve planned for this race for a year, I’m not bagging it now. Aaron was running his first half marathon and I was finishing this race unless someone had to pull me from the course. I can be stubborn that way, not necessarily smart, but stubborn. Unfortunately, my boss was in the hospital and I’d already agreed to work in his place. I popped some ibuprofen, warned the ladies at work that I was dragging, and had a hectic workday in spite of my exhaustion. I finally got out of work (only a half hour late), got home, threw a few last minute items in the bag, and we left for Cincinnati.

After we got to the hotel, we unpacked, and decided to take a little walk to get some munchies. The hotel is just a block off of the race route, so I saw a few of these on our trek.



On Saturday morning, we decided to run across the river to go hit the Expo. From our hotel, it's just a quick run over the Roebling Bridge to get downtown. Last year, the bridge was in the midst of being painted and prettied up, so it looks really nice this spring. No more tarps!




Originally, I’d hoped to do 3-4 miles very easy just to loosen the kinks. Since I was battling the head cold, we just ran the 1.3 to the Expo, walked around there for an hour, then walked back to the hotel. That was plenty, just the walking left me tired and I wondered if I’d overdone it. I enjoyed the Expo though, bought a few things from the vendors, talked to someone representing the Geist Half, visited the empty booth for the Carmel Marathon/Half (wish there’d been a rep there, I hear some folks landed tasty registration discounts there!), and got some vitamin/antioxidant samples that I took in hopes that it might help my cold. Oh, and got my picture taken with the Cheetah Pig. I’d spotted a picture of that one online and knew that I needed to find him. Then I hummed the Cheetah Pig song to myself all day. (Think Homer Simpson if you don’t know what song I mean.)



After the Expo, we still had some time to kill before we had to pick up the kids from Sara so we debated what to do. I finally decided that this was a good opportunity to give Aaron a preview of the race route. We had both run the Cincy downtown area enough that we skipped that part and picked up the course in Covington. It was really nice for me even, since I usually just blindly run the race and don't take the time to notice street names and to sightsee. We made it as far as the Eden Park Overlook before we had to cut it short to go meet-up with the family. We stopped at the overlook for a quick photo-op. Every time I run this race, I think I should get a photo there but I never want to stop. Finally, I have my picture! The view from here is gorgeous and I'm glad that I got to get my picture on a clear day.




The weather forecast had been predicting a rainy race for us and that showed no sign of changing. It’s getting to where I almost expect rain for Cincinnati races! Flying Pig 2010, Heart Mini 2011, and now Flying Pig 2011 would all be rainy races. Visors and rain ponchos for the start, we’re prepared. We went to the Reds game in the evening, which made for a late night even though we left in the 6th inning. Good thing that we didn’t stick around for the whole game: it went into extra innings! In fact, I was already half asleep when I heard the “BOOM, BOOM, BOOM” of the fireworks announcing the Reds’ win in the 10th. Next on the agenda: race day.